ALPINE BANK REWARDS TWO PPIHC VOLUNTEERS
Colorado Springs, CO — Since the earliest day of the Race to the Clouds, volunteers have played a major role in ensuring the course is ready, fans feel welcome, communication roles are staffed, and so much more.
Volunteering for the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb takes a special kind of person. One who is eager for the experience, committed to their duties, and willing to embrace the event with enthusiasm.
An army of nearly 150 service-minded individuals, many assigned to duties they’ve performed for years, not only show up to help at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, but are vital to its success.
This year, two PPIHC volunteers were selected to receive awards based on the number of shifts they volunteered and orientation sessions completed. Anne Sasko and Layne Thomason each received a $250 VISA gift card as a thank you from Alpine Bank and the PPIHC.
“Alpine Bank appreciates the opportunity to support a long-standing, highly valued non-profit in Colorado Springs, the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. They continue to elevate the Pikes Peak community year after year with this race, and we’re all better because of their efforts. Thank you to the PPIHC for a fantastic summer of racing to the clouds, and congratulations to the two PPIHC volunteers chosen for this award.”
Matt Hanson
Market President, Alpine Bank
MEET ANNE SASKO
PPIHC Volunteer
Anne Sasko has always been interested in racing and said her father was “an F1 fanatic.” Growing up, she lived in Belgium for two years and during that time her dad bought a 1971 Porsche 911e. She’s now a second-generation Porsche owner.
“My dad attended the Pikes Peak Hill Climb back in the 1980s, so I knew about it from early on,” Sasko recalled. “Once I moved to Colorado, I knew it was an awesome opportunity to participate in this event.”
A volunteer at heart, she shared, “I’ve done a lot of volunteering in the last 10 years, including seven years with the Red Cross. I’ve done wildfire mitigation for Custer County residents, and I’ve served on two boards, Chamber of Commerce and Meals on Wheels.”
“The first year I volunteered for PPIHC, I worked in the parking lot next to the pits, which was an awesome opportunity,” exclaimed Sasko. “After they shut down the mountain to traffic, I was able to walk through the pits and meet several of the drivers.
“The second year I volunteered, I worked at the 9 Mile camping area. That included the three things I’m most passionate about: volunteering, camping, and racing. I met so many people from all over. Some of them drove just an hour, others drove for days just to see the race. We all had one thing in common, we absolutely loved racing.
“We cheered on each driver that passed us at nearly 100 miles per hour. It was a type of camaraderie I haven’t experienced at other race tracks, such as NASCAR, Indy, or F1, where everybody has their favorite.”
“You’ll meet people from all over the US, and sometimes all over the world. You’ll create memories and, at the same time, watch some extremely skilled racing. It’s definitely the opportunity of a lifetime.”
Anne Sasko
PPIHC Volunteer
Sasko explained, “My dad passed away in 2014, but when I was camping on that mountain, volunteering and meeting new fans, I could feel him smiling down on me.”
MEET LAYNE THOMASON
PPIHC Volunteer
Layne Thomason has been a volunteer on the mountain since he moved to Colorado Springs five years ago. He heard about the opportunity through a friend in the auto industry, and after the first year, he fell in love with it.
Thomason shared, “I’ve always been a ‘car guy’ but PPIHC is like nothing I’d ever experienced. It is, to this day, and will probably remain, my favorite time of the year.”
“I’ve had a few different roles during my time as a volunteer PPIHC, including on race day at Ski Area. One of my favorite duties is setting up for Fan Fest. Getting to meet new people, along with the race teams, and hear their stories, is just unmatched.”
“I’d encourage people to be open-minded when it comes to branching out and attending new events. After all, you never know if it’ll become something you want to be a part of every year.”
Layne Thomason
PPIHC Volunteer
Thomason recalled one of his favorite memories as a PPIHC volunteer, “It was my second year on the mountain and I realized I hadn’t prepared for cold weather. As it goes, it was a very, very cold weekend, but I still had a blast and made the most of it!”
Asked about future plans to volunteer on Pikes Peak, Thomason was quick to reply, “I moved to Oklahoma in 2024, but regardless of distance, I still plan to return for PPIHC 2026, and continuing for as long as I possibly can. I’m absolutely honored to be a part of something so special and great for Colorado Springs.”
VOLUNTEER SIGN UP OPENS IN MARCH, 2026
Photos by Anne Sasko and Layne Thomason
